Millions of Nigerian Children Denied Education Funds

Femi Falana, a senior lawyer and human rights advocate, has raised concerns regarding the denial of basic education to millions of Nigerian children, attributing this issue to state governments' failure to properly utilize ₦97 billion allocated for education. In a press statement, Falana referenced the Child's Right Act and the Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act, which guarantee free and mandatory education for children at primary and junior secondary levels across Nigeria.

He noted that while the federal government provides funding through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), many state governments have not met the requirement to provide a 50 percent counterpart fund, resulting in ₦97 billion remaining unaccessed as of March 2026. Falana accused state governments of mismanaging resources intended to improve public school infrastructure and learning conditions.

He emphasized the urgent need for compliance with educational laws, as an estimated 20 million school children in Nigeria are affected, exacerbating issues of illiteracy and limiting future opportunities.